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Whether you are taking your expensive racehorses or show horses to an event, or simply transporting your private horse to a vet, ALL horses are valuable to their owners. Therefore, when hiring a horse transport or horse box service, you will want to make sure that it is as safe, comfortable and stress-free for your horse as possible. The facts, details and advice on this page will help you to do that.
Many horse owners are in daily peril from a sinister and unexpected source - the illegal horse transporter - according to a Lincolnshire businessman.
An unlicensed transporter is potentially driving an un-roadworthy vehicle, without the correct insurance, says Gary Van Craeyenest of Premier Equine Horse Transport.
In order to improve the safety of your horse whilst in transit, Premier Equine have published a fact sheet which includes practical checklist to help in selecting a safe and reputable operator.
Below are the principle facts relating to the regulation and operation of a horse transport business. Please note that these facts relate equally to any type of horse transport, whether it be race horses, show horses, or simply your own horse:
> Horse transporters now require commercial "hire & reward" insurance, and you will also need to ensure that your own horse insurance covers your horse in transit. This applies to any movement of horses, other than by the owner.
> Vehicle safety checks must be carried out on a regular basis. The interval between checks is determined by mileage covered.
> The number of hours a transporter driver can be at the wheel within a day are strictly limited.
> A license disc must be displayed in the windscreen issued by the Ministry of Transport indicating by colour whether or not the operator holds a standard or international license. Note, this is in addition to the normal Road Tax Disc usually displayed.
> The operator will be registered with the relevant County Council, as planning permission will be required to operate the business from their base.
In light of these facts, how can you make sure that your chosen horse transport operator is not placing your horse at risk? Following the points below should help:
> First, if you have any concerns at all, ask for the Operator License Number. A legitimate transporter will be only too pleased to give you this information; it is not a closely-guarded secret. This number will enable you - if you wish - to contact the Ministry of Transport and check that the number given is valid and matches the name of the company you are dealing with.
> Be wary of operators and adverts only offering mobile phone numbers. While many legitimate operators do work purely from a mobile number, it can be used to make it more difficult to trace an operator in case of problems. Checking the Operator License Number will allay any fears.
> Also be wary if asked to send a deposit to a PO Box address. If things go wrong it may make it impossible to trace the operator and get your money back.
> Transporters wishing to pick up or drop off in the middle of the night should raise concerns. Some illegal operators reduce the risk of being pulled over by the Vehicle Operator Support Agency (VOSA) for random checks by traveling at night or in the early hours of the morning. It will also make it difficult for you to check the condition of the vehicle and your horse if the pick-up or drop-off occurs during the hours of darkness.
Premier Equine believes that as a professional horse transport service, we have a duty to inform the general public of recent legislation regarding the movement of horses. Gone are the days when you could 'hail' a lift in your friend's lorry.
As such we need to stop the illegal horse transporter capitalising on these new regulations. Peace of mind is a wonderful thing.